The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might be forced to make a call regarding the Shubman Gill situation with the persisting uncertainty around him. Gill, who was diagnosed with dengue fever before India's opening match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia in China, was hospitalised in the city on Monday, October 9 due to a low platelet count. Even though he was discharged on Tuesday morning, the window of his recovery has increased a bit. It could take a week or even more for Gill to get completely match fit.
As per a report in The Indian Express, the selectors are set to conduct a meeting with the team management regarding the situation and mull over bringing in a cover or two. The meeting will be conducted on the sidelines of India's second match of the World Cup against Afghanistan in Delhi and the report stated that the names of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal have cropped up for cover. Is is necessary to have someone as cover and if yes, who? These two will be the main talking points in the said meeting.
Gill's unavailability was felt in the World Cup opener when the Indian top order underwent a massive collapse against Australia. Thankfully, the Men in Blue were not chasing a huge total and hence the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul could take time to settle after they were reduced to 2/3.
Till the time Gill comes back, Ishan Kishan has an opportunity to make those chances count after his World Cup debut didn't go according to plan. India take on Afghanistan in their second match in the World Cup on Wednesday, October 11 and will hope to go into the high-octane clash against Pakistan with two wins under the belt.
